Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1887-01-22

Of the past, her thanks to me, were e1-
pressed in such words Of trusting simple
ity that l was won BY their righteousness.
Our letters became frequent and IN one OF
them she informed me that Uncle Brown
and herself would shortly pay our camp a
visit. To say that my heart snote my ribs
a little more rapidly than usual does not
exactly convey an expression Of my feel
ings on that day. On my part, my letters
had though confdentially familiar, never
been otherwise than those of a friend re-
lasing business matters. They had been
studiously short, while hers were ONE
times pretty long and rather sentimental.
Yet there appeared to be n effort in her
epistolary illusions; no straining for effect,
nothing but what was perfectly natural to
expect from a girl o. II to one whom
she considered a trusted friend. Still her
letters always suggested to me the thought
that she must have avery sweet disposition
and that someday she would make allowing
and trusting wife to the fortunate fellow
who should secure her as his own. The
humping at the ribs was q matter rather
hard for me to explaint to myself. Icertain-
" had no regard for her other than friend
~, and though seventeen I still regarded
her as a child.
It was a beautifully calm day, warm,
though not hot, when from the stage coach
in front Of the p~ostof1ce | assisted Miss
Allen to alight, and then shook hands
with Brown.
Mrs. Carolan, the blacksmith's wife had
agreed with nae to provide the young lady
with lodgings, and we would take our
meals at Blakie's restaurant.
Mrs. Carolan was not far off when the
stage came in, and with a word Of explain
alton to Brown, and an assurance to Miss
Allen that I would call for her in half an
hour, the blacksmith's wife led her to
wards the humble log domicile.
Our camp in a few moments experience
ed the greatest sensation it ever knew.
Before this day but two ONE had over
set foot in the settlement. The first was
the blacksmith's worthy helpmate; the
second was of adifferent stamp. A French
woman, who was a %polyglot, who could
converse with every man in his native
tongue, and 6eal monte with such dexter
ity as to rake in the piles Of dust, and then
with fascinating glance and speech make
many a loser wish he might continue to
play against her.
The FrenchWoman after winning adj
mirers by the score, and gold by the hun
dreds of ounces, had left for a neighbor-
ing camp. And now in the wondering
crowd some suddenly became aware that
On certain portions of their attire, a patch
would have added somewhat to their free
dom of movement, and that soap and water
not have been invented for the ex-
use of dandies.
The waybilI showed that Mr.. and Miss
Brown had arrived. the latter coglolaen
being but a a natural N take likely at any
time to be made III a ST. e Office.
Down the road to my cabin l led the
way with Brown.
"Who's that fellow with the big black
beard and wide brimmed hat, you spoke to
moment ago." qlerI.d Bfowa as we
walked along.
Joe Varied" was slsy answer.
"Been here long?' Brown enquired.
Eyes, he was on the bar when I arrived;
Of the first men in the country | be-
Iieye," was my answer.
Bet twenty tsiat his name," laconicaIly
nay friend.
perhaps it aim much to boast Of be
.but if that amt a second cousin
o mine, an Jack Waters, I quit tste ranch"
Brown was intensely earnest in his man.
ner, aud as he spoke his eyes assumed a
hard look | had once seen before, and IN